My pet budgie George is 4 months old. I have had him for 3 weeks now. I take him out of his cage when I can and he sits on my hand and likes having his head scratched but seems to like being in his cage more than outside which is part of his personality. when he is in the cage he would look at his reflection in the mirror in his cage and sing thinking its another bird. If he is sitting on the perch or sleeping at night he would be right up to the mirror with its side resting against it. I am not sure if this healthy, being so attached to the mirror. I thought that by having the mirror it would give him something to do and he would not feel lonely when I am not around but i am a bit worried that he is seems so attached to it. I have also noticed that sometimes when I am about to take him out of his cage because he wont come out on his own and he sees that I am about to take him out he would get closer to this mirror which makes me think he wants to be with the mirror rather than me. Should I be concerned about this? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks

Hi Vicky,

 

personally, I would take the mirror out. It obviously isn't doing any harm, but he see's the 'other bird' as a flock member, so is less inclined to fit your into his flock, preferring the company of another budgie.

 

They can also get quite attached to objects and this is common with mirrors. This can cause some behavioural problems, such as aggressiveness, which could increasingly be a problem when you want to take George out of the cage.

 

 

Feathers.

Hi Feathers

 

Thanks for the advice. When I first bought Geroge he was very quiet in the first few days and a friend suggested i buy a mirror so it thinks it has company and would respond by chirping, singing. It worked and he was making more noise but after a while i thought he was getting too attached. I will now remove the mirror. Should be interesting if he changes.

 

Thanks, Vicky

 

 

 

 

Hi Vicky,

 

personally, I would take the mirror out. It obviously isn't doing any harm, but he see's the 'other bird' as a flock member, so is less inclined to fit your into his flock, preferring the company of another budgie.

 

They can also get quite attached to objects and this is common with mirrors. This can cause some behavioural problems, such as aggressiveness, which could increasingly be a problem when you want to take George out of the cage.

 

 

Feathers.

I agree with what feathers said also to add when I see the birds banging and feeding the mirrors or such objects such as a fake bird I used to think it was cute until I was explained the opposing view of how frustrating it must be to love such an object so much like this and it gives no love back therefore in turn the budgies ACK ACK so much more because they are trying to get it to respond. I find that Merlin does not ack ack very much because he gets the attention he needs from him human person (or in someone else's case another budgie if they have more then 1)

I agree with both Feathers and Elly. You can compensate by providing some interesting toys and perches for play and amusement. The kind that have no reflective surfaces like mirrors or bells.